Bush Shuts Off Beans to Cuba

[Say_What]

SmirkBoy is gonna p*ss off the farmers and ag folks in order to please the anti-Cuba gusanos in South Florida. This might get interesting because the farm and ag folks have much deeper pockets than the CANF. There were editorials from around the globe about how Bush pandered to the *exiles* and Florida Today pointed out how both parties whore themselves to these cretins.

<clips>

Cuba is buying black beans from the U.S., but after the new Bush Administration initiatives, they won't be able to buy them from Michigan farmers.

Star of the West Milling Co., of Frankenmuth, MI, was the first U.S. company in four decades to consolidate the sale of black beans to Cuba. While the Bush administration cannot force the reversal of the transaction, it will stop all U.S. companies from pursuing additional sales.

"The U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba could be about $1 billion annually," estimates William Kost of the USDA. Cuba's foreign food needs are mainly staple items that were introduced from temperate zones, such as beans, rice, coarse grain and wheat. "We could be the suppliers," said Congressman Dale Kildee on a recent visit to Star of the West.

When the nation is experiencing a $400 billion budget deficit, many in the ag-industry feel unreasonably limited by the administration's new policies. "Regardless of the embargo, Cuba will continue to need these food items, and will get them from another country," said Kildee.

<http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10416041&BRD=2188&PAG=461&dept_id=445633&rfi=6>

[Snellius]

1. Bush wants to starve the communism out them

Better dead than red.

[Osolomia]

38. And WTF have the Dems been doing for the past 40 years?!

Look at where the 2004 Democratic presidential candidates stand on the embargo to this day for example!

Last week Lieberman and Graham voted AGAINST your freedom to travel to Cuba and all the other candidates remain complicitly silent about this historic vote, but who cares when we've got bullshit stories about beans to fantasize about instead. What a shame.

[Osolomia]

39. The problem lies with the USA's election system, not Cuba's!

April 11, 2000
THE SUGAR SULTANS AND BRIBERY

... The Securities and Exchange Committee is accusing the Fanjul brothers of possibly having violated state and federal regulations by making political contributions to officials who could influence decisions concerning their companies.

This collusion with a long list of congress members is not related to isolated events. It is all part of the extreme right's grand strategy against the social gains, expressed incisively by one of their theoreticians, William Kristol, director of the Project for a Republican Future: that President Roosevelt's New Deal was dead, and that its corpse should be taken up and buried before the stink became unbearable.

The system of collecting funds for general and partial election campaigns has reached such an extreme that it continues to be denounced as a cancer which is corroding the establishment.

Last December, Alfonso Fanjul was the joint host with Mas Santos at a dinner where $1 million USD was collected for Al Gore's Democratic nomination campaign. But, of the $39.8 million collected for Gore, $32.4 million has already been spent, as opposed to Bush's $72 million ($60.7 million spent), is pushing the Democratic candidate into seeking the money promised him by the CANF. It is the classic give to get back.

The Miami mafia were emboldened by Vice President Gore's support for the kidnapping of Elián González, which is a by-product of this arrogance that the U.S. government has conferred on them.

More...
http://www.newsmakingnews.com/cubasugarsultans.htm

[Say_What]

40. Only ONE candidate, Kucinich, has balls enough to say END THE EMBARGO

From the Kucinich for President website:

END THE EMBARGO ON CUBA

Our policy toward Cuba has failed. More than four decades of a unilateral embargo and persistently hostile and aggressive rhetoric and actions from successive administrations have created only misery for the Cuban people and have hurt, not helped, U.S. interests at large.

Common sense dictates that we pursue a policy of normalizing relations with Cuba. A Kucinich Administration will work for repeal of the Helms-Burton Act and the immediate lifting of the trade embargo.

A Kucinich Administration will take several steps to restoring a more humane and effective policy toward this important neighbor:

1. Support normal bilateral trade with Cuba. Farm communities throughout the U.S. are being denied a natural market in Cuba, and Americans are being denied products from Cuba.

2. Restore Americans' freedom to travel to Cuba. Our government's travel ban violates the Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of movement.

3. Work to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act, which has encouraged smuggling and put lives at risk -- and has reinforced arbitrary and unequal immigration policies.

4. Support increased national security cooperation with Cuba.


http://www.kucinich.us/issues/issue_cuba.htm

[Judi Lynn]

2. I can't grasp how George W. Bush can butt in and shut off this business

The article doesn't really explain how this vicious move is possible.

Pro-embargo people are very aware that buying staples like this from other countries means paying far greater transportation costs for Cuban citizens. It handicaps the people who use the product by making it far more expensive. That's simply STUPID as well as nasty.

[Paschall]

3. Maybe Shrub's trying to improve the EU economy?

EU farmers could use a break.

:shrug:

[yellowcanine]

4. Butt in and shut off the beans? LOL

Was that pun intended? How much fun will Letterman have with Bush, beans and Cuba? He could do a top ten reasons why Bush doesn't want Castro to have Michigan beans.

10. Beans and Cuban cigars just don't go together.
9. Beans have a "dual use" as a WMD.
8 - 1 ???? help me out here.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. 8.

He's trying to shut off Castro's natural gas supply.

[bif]

7. That'll help him get the Michigan vote

in 2004.

[markus]

28. And the Minnesota vote

It must be part of their strategey to carry the MN-WI-MN rural vote. Lets piss off all the farmers.

Memo to Karl: You must be everywhere at once. No one is as smart as you are.

[Say_What]

30. Add Montana, Washington, Arkasas, and a bunch of other states

and whatdaya get? :evilgrin:

[donco6]

31. And Colorado. . . well, maybe not Colorado.

I think it would take live action camera of Bush raping a six-year old, then viscerally gutting her while Laura watches approvingly before Colorado would vote for anyone else.

[Say_What]

11. Bush is in a bind

On one hand he needs the anti-Cuba vote from Miami and on the other he needs the support of farm-state lawmakers--many Repukes--who are the biggest supporters of lifting the travel ban and embargo. This is a no-win situation for the Bushistas and I'm sure they know it.

Not only that, the moderates in Miami who may have voted for him last time will turn against him because he's gonna limit what they send their relatives. Immigration officials are harrassing people on Miami to Havana flights by searching and questioning everyone on board about how much money they're bringing with them.

Who knows, with a little luck this entire debacle will be the Bushies undoing.

[jmowreader]

41. Farm states? Which are those?

There aren't too many states that aren't farm states of some sort. Maybe Nevada, although with proper irrigation you could grow something there.

Hopefully, every state in which agriculture is a major industry will vote their pocketbook and go with the Democrat, which will mean Reagan's 49-state sweep in 1984 will look like a slim victory.

[LeftistGorilla]

5. Bush is one tough guy....

cutting off food to a third world nation...
:puke:

[htuttle]

15. Actually, he's cutting off business to US farmers

Nobody else in the world will have a problem selling Cuba all the black beans they'd like.

How many Anti-Castro Cubans can their possibly be in Florida? Seems to me they have an influence FAR, FAR beyond their actual numbers...

[preciousdove]

8. Sounds like time for another "Berlin Airlift"

by the free nations of the world...private of course running from third party nations of course.

"God, bless and keep the Tsar.... far away from here."

Fidler on the Roof

[Judi Lynn]

9. Bush needs to give up his greedy, vote-grabbing

support of a group of "exile" extremists who either themselves, or through their parents, created such a vile, brutal system in Cuba in the FIRST PLACE a revolution was necessary, after years and years of exhausting all other alternatives failed.

The criminals came here, and Bush panders to them.

He needs to respect the majority of the American citizens, and our CONGRESS, all supporting removal of the travel ban and the embargo.

[Judi Lynn]

10. U.S. harassment of Cuba condemned

Havana. October 27, 2003



U.S. harassment of Cuba condemned

MEXICO CITY.— Intellectuals from around the world have condemned U.S. harassment of Cuba in the final declaration of the "In Defense of Humanity" encounter held in the Mexican capital up until last Saturday, reported PL.

The document summarizes the ideas expressed by social theorists and activists from 15 countries during two days of discussion, and warned of the risk of direct military intervention against the Cuban Revolution, which has stood up to innumerable destabilization campaigns, aggression and economic blockade. The document adds that for this reason, "it is necessary to intensify solidarity and strengthen ties with this besieged island and to totally condemn the aggressive actions of the U.S. government."

Close to 100 intellectuals debated the gravity of the international situation and concluded that a new barbarism is showing its face, the result of which is an ever-increasing mass of human beings being deemed superfluous. (snip/...)

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2003/octubre03/lun27/43encuentro.html

[Minstrel Boy]

12. What? Are they "dual-use" beans?

Hellooooo, United States government: after 45 failed years, your Cuban policy could stand some wising-the-fuck up.

[truthisfreedom]

13. yes, they can be used to generate poison gas.

weapons of mass distention.

[jamesinca]

24. That they could be

Get yourself in a taxi with somebody who has been eating beans and they light up a Cuban cigar, that would blow the doors off the cab. A lot of watering eyes and burnt nose hair.

[Say_What]

14. Cruise line service to Caribbean starts Monday

Planning for a post embargo Cuba, Celebrity Cruise Lines steams ahead.

<clips>

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Jacksonville will officially become a cruise ship port on Monday. The terminal near the Dames Point Bridge is ready to go.

On Monday, Celebrity Cruise Lines's ship, the Zenith, will ferry vacation-goers to the Caribbean. A Jaxport study says the cruise industry could bring $36 million to the First Coast.


http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=9808

[peterh]

16. "will get them from another country".....no problemo…

<http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/cuba/impact.html>

Grains and Pulses: The United States is well positioned to supply most of Cuba’s grain demand if trade is normalized. Cuba imports over $320 million in grains, grain products and pulses annually -- making up almost 50 percent of its annual agricultural imports. The $100-million wheat market and $40-million flour market were dominated by Canada until the late 1980's. Now, the EU, notably France through the use of export credits, supplies 90 percent of Cuba’s wheat imports. Canada still has 95 percent of Cuba’s $40-million peas and beans market. Cuban rice imports total $86 million per year, supplied principally by Vietnam and China. Feed grain imports are low; however, the U.S. industry estimates that Cuba could import up to 500,000 tons a year (roughly $40 million) from the United States if trade restrictions were lifted.

[Judi Lynn]

17. I don't think the farmers in Minnesota want this bastard

bumbling around in their hard-won, legal, honorable business, just to increase his grimey chances of getting re-elected through appealing to the violent, corrupt Miami Mafia by doing stunts they will appreciate, from their lofty, tax-payer supported and enhanced hide-out in Florida.

In case anyone hasn't learned, or has forgotten, Miami Cuban "exile" "godfather," Jorge Mas Canosa publically sneered at Americans in an interview with a (Spain) Spanish newspaper:

(snip)

I had but one extended conversation with Jorge Mas Canosa, in the summer of 1994, shortly after the Cuban exile leader seemed to reveal a shocking contempt for native-born Americans in an article in the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
The reporter had asked if the Americans would ''take over'' Cuba after Fidel Castro's fall. Mas Canosa reportedly replied, ''That's bull----. They haven't even been able to take over Miami. If we kicked them out of here, how could they possibly take over our own country?''

(snip)

http://www.fiu.edu/~fcf/caricature112497.html

How long is it going to take for people to get a grasp on this dirty business?

[Say_What]

18. Opening Cuba -Finally, good sense ascending

Actually, that ought to say 'Opening the USSA', 4500 companies from 100 different countries do business with Cuba--opeing Cuba??

Another in the long line of endless editorials calling for an end to the embargo and travel ban.

<clips>

The Cuba policy dam is breaking, but President George W. Bush seems determined to keep his finger in the dike as long as he can.

Faced with mounting public opinion in favor of opening trade and travel with Cuba, the U.S. House and Senate recently voted to ease outdated and foolish restrictions. The president, however, seemingly moved more strongly by pressure from a few Cuban expatriates in south Florida, threatened to veto the bill.

The equation is clear. Contrary to the best interests and wishes of American and Cuban citizens, Bush & Co. pay more attention to electoral politics. They pander to a few activists, thinking loss of their affection might tilt a razor-thin voting majority.

I know of no substantial body of thought, let alone passion, favoring a continuation of the embargo. For years these prohibitions were rationalized as tactics bound to bring down communist dictator Fidel Castro. Generations later, remaining holdout embargo supporters should have gotten the message.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2003/Oct/20031027Comm001.asp

[Judi Lynn]

20. This is a terrific statement

It's also good to realize that the newspaper comes from a part of the country which is REALLY conservative.

It's just great seeing the publisher speaking out this boldly, as he is SURROUNDED by a whole lot of Missouri farmers who tend to be quite right-wing! He obviously believes both what he's saying, and that the truth will be respected by Columbia, Missouri readers.

[TankLV]

19. There's gotta be a fart joke in there somewhere!

Just.

Gotta.

Be.

Ungh!

[Parche]

21. beans

This article gives me gas...........


Once again GW Bush fails America
and turns on his own people

[DBoon]

22. Cuba will retaliate

By cutting of exports of platanos to the USA!

[sam sarrha]

23. Dual Use beans as a Weapon of Mass Flatualation... I have proof....

My friend had a neighbor with a barking dog, he made up a concoction of sweet potatoes, refried beans, jack mackerel, broccoli, garlic and onion power... he fed this to the dog through the fence... he later said that he heard the owner complaining to another neighbor about the hideous farts the dog had and the wife always had the dog sleep on the bed. ..........maybe Bush beans policy isn't all hot air..?

[sam sarrha]

25. Is this policy Racist ??? Please note he only cut off "Black" Beans

not "White Beans".......... Where is the outrage!!!!

[davsand]

26. Hmm, let's start embargos and REALLY mess with the far economy!

Gawd, could shrub be any more stupid? All those ag based states have just been put on notice that the products they produce have just become political weapons... I'm thinking that was a BIG mistake on his part.

Let's see, we've pissed off the Vets, the Seniors, the Muslim Americans, the Civil Liberties crowd...seems like a lot of pretty powerful folks have been double crossed in the last three years.

Laura

[Say_What]

29. I'm thinking the same thing

the ag and farm folks are much more powerful than el exilie--many of the pols from those states are Repukes as well. :evilgrin:

[Say_What]

27. National Geographic Feature: Cuba Naturally

With photos, videos, and a multi-media special on Cuba's wild life.

<clips>

Known more for its music and politics than for its wildlife, Cuba in fact teems with unusual species, from tiny frogs and orchids to particularly feisty crocodiles.

In hundred-degree heat (forty degrees Celsius) we slogged through a brutal expanse of swamp on a day we'd remember as hell. Attacked by relentless mosquitoes, we wrenched our boots from the mud, step by step. A horizon of pink pulled us forward until our quarry came clearly into view: some 70,000 nesting Caribbean flamingos and countless chicks, the largest colony of these magnificent birds in the Western Hemisphere. I sat on an abandoned nest and readied my gear. Nearby, on a conical mound of mud, a flamingo bent toward its chick to offer a broth of fats and proteins. Undisturbed by my camera, the pair carried on, allowing me to capture the intimate touch of two beaks poised with grace and purpose.

That moment redeemed the day for me and for my friend Juan Soy, who called our visit to the breeding ground spectacular. A biologist at the University of Havana, Soy works with Cuba's flora and fauna division to help oversee 48 of the country's 263 protected natural areas, which cover nearly 22 percent of Cuba's territory. The critical flamingo nesting grounds lie within Humedal Río Máximo-Cagüey, which recently became one of six places in Cuba added to the Ramsar Convention's list of Wetlands of International Importance. The site's daunting inaccessibility may be its salvation. The same could be said of Cuba's vast—and largely unknown—natural riches.

Before this trip, Cuba for me meant Castro and cigars, alluring beaches and intoxicating Afro-Cuban rhythms. I now know it as a place of unimagined biodiversity. With help from Cuba's Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment, I gained unprecedented access to some of the most pristine island wilderness in the world. Traveling thousands of zigzagging miles over five months, I photographed some rarely documented wildlife behaviors and came to view Cuba as another Galápagos, preserved by its lack of development and by the will of a people committed to conservation.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/feature4/index.html

<>

[Judi Lynn]

42. Wonderful link.

Had no idea Cuba has the largest group of flamingos in the Hemisphere! The accompanying video was great.

Sure hope they can keep their flora/fauna free from exploitation and polution.

[5thGenDemocrat]

32. Kildee is my congressman and Star of the West is ten miles from here

I guarantee you this costs pResident Dopey big votes in the Saginaw Valley which, except for the farmers and a few white supremacists out in the "Township," pretty much votes D. I'm beginning to think that Andy the Right Wing Republican might be the lone R vote left in Saginaw County -- and I'm working on him.
John
We should be feeding anyone who's hungry. But that's too human and too decent a concept for Butthead*.

[tinnypriv]

33. Everyone knows these shipments are a cover for WMD development

Bla.. er, Castor beans... Ricin.... WMD.

BRING EM ON!!

[9215]

34. We want to trade with China, but not Cuba......hmmmmmmm

Strange double standard here. Bush has to have it out for Cuba for some other reason. I think part of it is Castro being a threat to the international illegal drug trade that the Cuban Mafia depend on. Castro really gummed up the works when he shut down the drug trade. Hence the rabid hatred of him.

And what is all this talk about increasing trade with a country to "democratize" it. This trade based approach is a key Repug Trilateralist arguement when they seek to exploit a country's resources. Is that why they do a flip flop on this principle with Cuba? Because they can't exploit its resources for their narrow vested interests? They cannot corrupt it with their mafiaesque drug culture?

[Mika]

35. The Revolution is very conservative (in a socialist way)

Once the Cuban people tasted power they won't let go of it so easily. Cubans demand integrity and accountability in their leadership these days. There's a whole new generation of Cubañia running things now.. a generation that has been well educated (and indoctrinated) in the Cubansocialist way of life, and that education includes full verses in the history of US government imperialism and bloodlust.

If one thinks that the US is having trouble 'installing' a new US system in Iraq now, well.. Cuba will be a whole different ball game (as in: wholesale serious & violent rejection).

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

36. Good

Brazilian black beans taste better.

[Say_What]

37. Argentina Movement for Solidarity and Friendship with Cuba criticizes Bush

<clips>

The Argentina movement for Solidarity and Friendship with Cuba has criticised the Bush administration for its increased threats and provocations against Cuba despite international protests.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation stressed that Cuba is a shining hope for nations striving for a better world where the sovereignty, self-determination and independence of each country is respected.

The statement reiterated that Cuba is never alone in its revolutionary cause and that all the friends of the Cuban revolution will always stand by the brave and heroic Cuban people.

<http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=34&NEWS_ID=28892>